Grapevine named ‘Sheegene-18’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of grapevine characterized by the production of medium, green-colored seedless grapes that mature in early September when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The grapes of this new variety are produced on strong woody stems and branches and are well adapted to commercial handling.

Latin name of the genius and species of the plant claimed: The claimedplant relates to a new and distinct variety of Vitis vinifera to beknown as ‘Sheegene-18’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The claimed plant is not subject of a related application.

STATEMENT OF ANY FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The claimed plant is not subject of Federally-sponsored research ordevelopment.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new variety of Vitis vinifera is the result of hybridization of‘Princess’ (unpatented), the pollen parent, and ‘Red Globe’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,787), the seed parent. The new variety was first hybridizedby Timothy P. Sheehan in the Spring of 2000. The new variety wasasexually propagated in the dormant season of 2003, grafted onvirus-free rootstock in a Vitis vinifera variety block located near Eastof Fowler, Calif. The new variety was planted as rooted cuttings in thedormant season of 2007 in a Vitis vinifera variety block located northand west of Delano, Calif. The new variety produces a medium,green-colored seedless grape with very good flavor. The new variety hasbeen shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics throughasexual propagation.

The new variety is distinguished from its pollen parent, ‘Princess’(unpatented), in that the new variety produces green-colored seedlessgrapes, as compared to the white-colored seedless grapes produced by itspollen parent, ‘Princess’ (unpatented). The new variety is distinguishedfrom its seed parent, ‘Red Globe’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), in thatthe new variety produces medium sized green-colored seedless grapes, as,compared to its seed parent, ‘Red Globe’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787),that produces exceptionally large red-colored seeded grapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapevinethat produces a medium, green-colored seedless grape that matures duringearly September when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of CentralCalifornia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Sheegene-18’ grapevine is characterized by producing a medium,green-colored seedless grape that has very good flavor and it isproductive and mature for harvesting and shipment in early Septemberwhen grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The newvariety can be compared to ‘Thompson Seedless’ (unpatented) but thegrapes produced by the new variety mature four to five weeks later,among other distinguishing characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph that shows several matureleaves across the top portion of the photograph with an immature leaf inthe middle, just below the leaves are two small clusters of maturegrapes and one large cluster of mature grapes, just below the clustersof grapes are several grapes cut longitudinally and horizontallydisplaying the heart and pulp, just below the cut grapes are tendrilleaves, and on both sides of the photograph are mature branches with oneimmature branch located on the left side of the photograph.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinctvariety of grapevine, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing at the origin vineyard located nearDelano, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Allmajor color descriptions are by reference to the Dictionary of Color byMaerz & Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common colors names arealso used in several instances.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Very good.        -   Chilling requirements.—Normal for grapevines in the lower            San Joaquin Valley of Central California.        -   Figure.—With wide cordons forming a “T” shape.        -   Productive capacity.—Very good.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 7 inches [17.78 cm] in circumference, 17            inches [43.18 cm] above ground (5 year old wood).        -   Surface texture.—Rough and shaggy.        -   Color of bark.—P1.4 H9 Liver Brown Autumn Oak+(5 year old            wood).        -   Mature cane color.—P1.21 L6-Parrot green (8 to 12 month old            wood).        -   Nodes.—Two on cane.        -   Length between nodes.—6.5 to 9 inches [16.51 to 22.86 cm].        -   Shoot length.—6 inches [15.24 cm].        -   Shoot shape (habit).—Slender.        -   Shoot habit.—Droopy.        -   Tendrils number/location.—Single at node.        -   Tendrils length.—4.5 to 5.5 inches [11.43 to 13.97 cm].        -   Tendrils form.—Bifurcate.        -   Bud shape.—Triangular.        -   Bud size.—Small; 0.039 to 0.079 inches [1 to 2 mm].-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 2 inches [5.08 cm] in circumference.        -   Cordons.—37 inches [93.98 cm] on one side of trunk ; 42.99            inches [109.20 cm] on the other side of trunk.        -   Surface texture.—Slightly rough with grooves.        -   Color (one year or older branches).—P1.15 J7 Light reddish.        -   Color (immature branches).—P1.15 J7 Light reddish (Upper            side); P1.20 L6 Piquant green (Lower side).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Average length.—4.75 to 5.75 inches [12.07 to 14.61 cm].        -   Average width.—4.13 to 6.5 inches [10.49 to 16.51 cm].        -   Form.—Pentagonal.        -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth.        -   Texture (lower surface).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf vein color.—P1.20 K1 Russet gr.        -   Margin form.—Slightly undulate.        -   Leaf margin.—Toothed.        -   Leaf vein thickness.—0.08 inches [2 mm].        -   Stem glands.—None.        -   Petiole size.—Moderate.        -   Petiole length.—5 inches [12.70 cm].        -   Petiole color (lower surface.—P1.6 I7 Near slate U.        -   Petiole color (upper surface).—P1.17 L8 Novo gr.        -   Stem glands.—None.        -   Lobes (average).—Five.        -   Stipules.—None.        -   Tooth size.—0.16 to 0.28 inches [4 to 7 mm] in width; 0.20            to 0.28 inches [5 to 7 mm] in length.        -   Tooth number.—7 to 14 per lobe.        -   Tooth shape.—Triangular.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Size.—4.72 to 8.27 inches [12 to 21 cm] in length.        -   Number per vine.—Prolific; up to sixty-four clusters.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—0.04 to 0.08 inches [1 to 2 mm].        -   Flower buds surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Date of bloom.—May 8.        -   Date of full bloom.—May 14.        -   Size (average).—0.20 inches [5 mm].        -   Petal sinus form.—Upside-down “U” shape.        -   Petals (color).—P1.7 C8 Mauve Taupe.        -   Petals (size).—0.16 inches [4 mm].        -   Pistil color.—P1.17 L8 Nova gr.        -   Date of visible berry set.—May 14.        -   Size of berries.—0.08 inches [2 mm] when fruit first set.-   Fruit:    -   -   Solids.—19.1 Brix.        -   Acids.—0.42.        -   Sugar/acid ratio.—57.8.        -   Juice pH.—4.01.        -   Seeds.—None.        -   Rudimentary seed structures.—One to two.        -   Capstem pedicel.—0.39 inches [10 mm].        -   Berry weight.—53.86 grams (1.90 oz).        -   Juice color.—P1.20 L2 Oasis.        -   Cluster size.—Large.        -   Cluster average length (not including stem).—7 inches [17.78            cm].        -   Cluster average diameter.—5.50 inches [13.97 cm].        -   Cluster density.—Compact.        -   Cluster form.—Conical.        -   Stem.—Generally large.        -   Stem caliper.—0.12 inches [3 mm].        -   Berry size.—Medium.        -   Berry form.—Ovate.        -   Berry numbers (average).—75 berries per bunch.        -   Berry size (average dimension along longitudinal axis).—0.88            inches [2.24 cm].        -   Berry size (average dimension along transverse axis).—0.94            inches [2.40 cm].-   Skin:    -   -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium.        -   Texture.—Semi-tough.        -   Ground color.—P1.19 L4 Light green.        -   Pulp color.—P1.21 B3 Courge gr.-   Flesh:    -   -   Flesh color.—P1.18 L6 Love Bird.        -   Juice production.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Mild.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Resistance to disease.—Unknown.        -   Harvesting.—Early September in the San Joaquin Valley of            Central California.        -   Shipping and handling qualities.—Very good.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of grapevine, weclaim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine, substantially asdescribed and illustrated herein, characterized principally by itsproduction of medium, green-colored seedless grapes that mature four tofive weeks after ‘Thompson Seedless’ (unpatented) which it resembles.